Our "New" Newsletter/New Brand Names/Sam's Custom Sewing

Big News: Our "New" Newsletter!

We know you are busier than ever and need the latest, breaking product information for coated and solution dyed fabrics. That's why Marlen has committed to a state-of-the art email system to enhance customer communications, and we'll be sending out quarterly newsletters to keep you abreast of the latest product developments, uses and tips on how to use our extensive product lines. Welcome to Volume 1, Number 1! If you have questions, topics, or issues you'd like addressed in future issues, email us with your suggestions by clicking here. Otherwise, we look forward to keeping you better informed and up to date with everything Marlen Textiles offers.

New Brand Names Make Product Selection Easier

Marlen Textiles' expanding product portfolio has been consolidated with several brands re-named to better group similar products, and more clearly identify each brand with its core product attributes.

Marlen Textiles manufactures several proprietary coated, solution dyed and laminated fabric products serving the marine, awning, tent and camping, outdoor, glove, safety, industrial, medical, and military industries. Alan Prelutsky, Executive Vice President, said the realignment will fall into three product families: Top Gun, Top Notch, and Odyssey. “Top Gun will represent premium coated products,” Prelutsky said. “Top Notch will represent premium solution dyed products, and Odyssey will represent economical coated products. Softouch and Amerglo will remain named as they are without being in any product family.” Prelutsky also said Marlen will also introduce new logos and color cards featuring the new names and logos. “We recognize there will be some transition period,” he said, “but our intention is for that transition period to be very short.” The new brand names were publicly introduced at the January 2014 MFA (Marine Fabricators Association) national convention in Charleston, South Carolina.

Top Gun to the Rescue in Alaska

Sam's Custom Sewing in Seward Alaska better know tough and reliable – after all, they're located in Seward Alaska, where summers are beautiful, but winters can be harsh, with 16 inches of snow in a month and high temperatures of only 31 degrees! Those kind of weather extremes produce special requirements for boat owners, and Top Gun was used as a special solution! (read more, more images)

In 1985, Sam Young started Sam’s Custom Sewing in Seward, Alaska on the Gulf of Alaska/Kenai peninsula. Little did he know that, 29 years later, he would complete his largest-ever boat cover, using over 200 yards of Top Gun Indian Birch fabric from Marlen Textiles. The project took Sam over one year to complete, due to extreme weather and working around the schedules of summer boat usage by the owner.

Working with the owner, a design goal was developed to enhance the lines of the boat while keeping the wind, rain and considerable snow out. The cover was built with a custom adjustable fastening system that uses 10 separate sections that zip together. Between the additional stress involved with multiple custom pieces, the size and scope of the project, and the extreme temperature and precipitation variations, Sam knew he had only one fabric choice. "Top Gun was the only fabric I ever considered. I've used it here in Alaska for years, and know first-hand its reputation for strength and longevity. I couldn't afford to take any chances with a cover this size."